A gravity fed peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) machine includes: a frame configured to be set on a supporting surface; at least one load cell; a scale platform supported by the frame via the at least one load cell positioned between the frame and the scale platform; a drain container support in mechanical communication with and extending downwardly from the scale platform, the machine configured such that when the frame is set on the supporting surface, at least one fresh PD fluid supply container is supportable by the scale platform above the at least one load cell and at least one used PD fluid drain container is supportable by the drain container support below the at least one load cell, so that a combined weight of fresh PD fluid and used PD fluid may be sensed by the at least one load cell.

An apparatus for controlling blending of a gas mixture containing known components, including first, second, and third control valves for controlling the flow of first, second, and third components, respectively, a first gas density sensor to measure the density of a first mixture of the first and second components, a second gas density sensor to measure the density of a second mixture of the first mixture and the third component, and a controller to determine based on data from the first and second gas density sensors the relative compositions of the first, second, and third components in the second mixture, and to control the first, second, and third control valves to obtain a desired relative composition of the first, second, and third components in the second mixture.

An apparatus for controlling blending of a gas mixture containing known components, including first, second, and third control valves for controlling the flow of first, second, and third components, respectively, a first gas density sensor to measure the density of a first mixture of the first and second components, a second gas density sensor to measure the density of a second mixture of the first mixture and the third component, and a controller to determine based on data from the first and second gas density sensors the relative compositions of the first, second, and third components in the second mixture, and to control the first, second, and third control valves to obtain a desired relative composition of the first, second, and third components in the second mixture.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to apparatus and methods for automatic fluid flow system connectors. The system generally includes a load cell interface coupled to a console and a ring connector coupled to a fluid collection system. The ring connector can be releasably engaged with the load cell using a push-button actuated locking mechanism. Embodiments of the locking mechanism can include a latch and aperture engagement, a shelf and ledge engagement, or a track and channel engagement, or combinations thereof. The ring connector and load cell can include electrical contacts configured to engage along an axis that extends perpendicular to a surface on which the electrical contacts are disposed. This is believed to reduce wear on the electrical contacts, thereby extending the usable life of the system.

Systems and methods for assessing flowability of a multiphase fluid are provided. The method includes agitating a sample of the multiphase fluid contained in a container while controlling an agitation force applied to the sample; pouring the sample, after it has been agitated, into a viscosity cup having an opening at its upper end and an orifice at its lower end and thereby causing the multiphase fluid to flow out of the viscosity cup through the orifice; weighing an amount of the multiphase fluid that has flowed through the orifice and into a receiving vessel over a period of time; and assessing flowability of the multiphase fluid sample using the weight of the multiphase fluid sample in the receiving vessel as a function of time.

Systems and methods for assessing flowability of a multiphase fluid are provided. The method includes agitating a sample of the multiphase fluid contained in a container while controlling an agitation force applied to the sample; pouring the sample, after it has been agitated, into a viscosity cup having an opening at its upper end and an orifice at its lower end and thereby causing the multiphase fluid to flow out of the viscosity cup through the orifice; weighing an amount of the multiphase fluid that has flowed through the orifice and into a receiving vessel over a period of time; and assessing flowability of the multiphase fluid sample using the weight of the multiphase fluid sample in the receiving vessel as a function of time.

A synthesis device comprises a plurality of pipes, a feeding unit, a reaction vessel, and a measurement mechanism. The pipes extend from a plurality of storage containers, respectively, in which a plurality of types of solutions are stored. The feeding unit is configured to feed the solutions in the storage containers through the pipes. The solutions selectively fed from the storage containers are put in the reaction vessel to generate a synthesized product by chemical synthesis. The measuring mechanism is provided between the storage containers and the reaction vessel in a middle of an overall flow path including the pipes, the measuring mechanism being configured to measure the solutions fed to the reaction vessel.

A synthesis device comprises a plurality of pipes, a feeding unit, a reaction vessel, and a measurement mechanism. The pipes extend from a plurality of storage containers, respectively, in which a plurality of types of solutions are stored. The feeding unit is configured to feed the solutions in the storage containers through the pipes. The solutions selectively fed from the storage containers are put in the reaction vessel to generate a synthesized product by chemical synthesis. The measuring mechanism is provided between the storage containers and the reaction vessel in a middle of an overall flow path including the pipes, the measuring mechanism being configured to measure the solutions fed to the reaction vessel.

An enteral feeding apparatus includes a pod having an expansile pouch which defines a reservoir for enteral fluid and a gas impermeable barrier surrounding the pouch. The pod has an inlet port for delivery of enteral fluid into the pouch and an outlet port having a seal which is pierceable to release enteral fluid from the pouch for delivery to a PEG via a feeding line. The expansile pouch provides the sole force by which enteral fluid is delivered from the pouch through a regulator. The system can accommodate a range of enteral fluids with a wide range of viscosities.

Systems and methods for carrying out automated inventory control by automatically sensing product levels in-situ, and automatically ordering new product when product levels are determined to be excessively low. Sensor modules may be placed under, over, or near products such as consumer goods, to continuously detect their levels as they are stored in normal use. When detected product levels are sufficiently low, new product can be automatically ordered, or instructions can be transmitted to refill or replace the product. In this manner, product depletion can be detected without user intervention or manual disturbance of the product, and new product can be automatically requested to refill or replace the depleted product.